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Hello. As are some of the folks here, I, too, have a soft spot for the Spanish Star automatics. Currently I have a Model B that was customized, the Model BM, and a Model 28, which was also modified.
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This Model B in 9mm has been fitted with Millett adjustable sights and a serrated ramp front sight. The front grip strap was checkered at 20 LPI and the frame and slide reblued. It has no magazine disconnect and the grips were made by my 'smith. It shoots well enough and is reliable with almost any JHP. The firing pin in this gun is inertial.
A different Model B was what I bought when I couldn't afford a Colt Gov't Model back in '71. I foolishly let that one get away and regret it for sentimental reasons. The Model B shown was bought after seeing an ad in "The American Rifleman" a few years ago in which these NIB pistols were advertised as "the last ones" and reported to be from a production overrun.
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Another view of the Model B. These days it goes to the range now and again, but is used for little else.
Reasonably popular right now are the Model BM 9mm's. Think of these as sort of a "Commander version" of the Model B.
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These are pretty popular right now. Depending upon when the individual pistol was made, some will have inertial firing pins while others do not. This one's stock other than the magazine disconnect being removed and the hammer spur being bobbed a little. It feeds most JHP's quite well, but it absolutely refuses to feed Remington Golden Sabers. Always check the individual pistol to be sure what it will reliably run with.
The 15-shot Star Model 28 is an interesting pistol and one that shoots pretty well, too. It was succeeded by the Model 30M, which uses a pinned, pivoting extractor.
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This M28 has had Millett adjustable rear sights added and the gun's been refinished. Parts other than the sights, frame, and slide have been hard chromed. The smooth trigger's width was reduced to match that of the CZ75. This pistol has an inertial firing pin and the common firing pin retaining plate rather than the vertical pin retained by the rear sight in the Model B and BM.
I've mentioned all of this to show my fondness for Star pistols. At the same time, I do not recommend buying one from here on out unless the buyer is prepared to spend some time locating and purchasing spare parts. Star, as we know it, has been out of business for several years now. No one manufactures spare parts for these pistols. Each passing year they become harder and harder to find. Fortunately for me, I purchased parts when I bought the guns, but others simply will not have this opportunity.
I personally don't shoot much warmly loaded 9mm in the B or BM. The Model 28 is more massively built, but I pretty much use standard pressure ammo in it as well.
If you own a Star, I suggest beginning a not infrequent check of sources for such parts as firing pins & springs as well as extractors & springs. You might get a spare bushing and recoil spring guide should you happen upon one. Original factory magazines have worked best for me, but they, too, are getting scarce.
These were pretty decent pistols for the money spent, but these days, they're pretty much at the sunset of their "lives". Enjoy and use them if you have them, but if money's tight, I'd look at either a Makarov if happy with the caliber as many parts can be had inexpensively for them or a CZ75 for a little more than twice as much as the Makarov.
Best.
This Model B in 9mm has been fitted with Millett adjustable sights and a serrated ramp front sight. The front grip strap was checkered at 20 LPI and the frame and slide reblued. It has no magazine disconnect and the grips were made by my 'smith. It shoots well enough and is reliable with almost any JHP. The firing pin in this gun is inertial.
A different Model B was what I bought when I couldn't afford a Colt Gov't Model back in '71. I foolishly let that one get away and regret it for sentimental reasons. The Model B shown was bought after seeing an ad in "The American Rifleman" a few years ago in which these NIB pistols were advertised as "the last ones" and reported to be from a production overrun.
Another view of the Model B. These days it goes to the range now and again, but is used for little else.
Reasonably popular right now are the Model BM 9mm's. Think of these as sort of a "Commander version" of the Model B.
These are pretty popular right now. Depending upon when the individual pistol was made, some will have inertial firing pins while others do not. This one's stock other than the magazine disconnect being removed and the hammer spur being bobbed a little. It feeds most JHP's quite well, but it absolutely refuses to feed Remington Golden Sabers. Always check the individual pistol to be sure what it will reliably run with.
The 15-shot Star Model 28 is an interesting pistol and one that shoots pretty well, too. It was succeeded by the Model 30M, which uses a pinned, pivoting extractor.
This M28 has had Millett adjustable rear sights added and the gun's been refinished. Parts other than the sights, frame, and slide have been hard chromed. The smooth trigger's width was reduced to match that of the CZ75. This pistol has an inertial firing pin and the common firing pin retaining plate rather than the vertical pin retained by the rear sight in the Model B and BM.
I've mentioned all of this to show my fondness for Star pistols. At the same time, I do not recommend buying one from here on out unless the buyer is prepared to spend some time locating and purchasing spare parts. Star, as we know it, has been out of business for several years now. No one manufactures spare parts for these pistols. Each passing year they become harder and harder to find. Fortunately for me, I purchased parts when I bought the guns, but others simply will not have this opportunity.
I personally don't shoot much warmly loaded 9mm in the B or BM. The Model 28 is more massively built, but I pretty much use standard pressure ammo in it as well.
If you own a Star, I suggest beginning a not infrequent check of sources for such parts as firing pins & springs as well as extractors & springs. You might get a spare bushing and recoil spring guide should you happen upon one. Original factory magazines have worked best for me, but they, too, are getting scarce.
These were pretty decent pistols for the money spent, but these days, they're pretty much at the sunset of their "lives". Enjoy and use them if you have them, but if money's tight, I'd look at either a Makarov if happy with the caliber as many parts can be had inexpensively for them or a CZ75 for a little more than twice as much as the Makarov.
Best.
